Brett McKay
@brettmckay.bsky.social
Reporter for the Investigative Journalism Foundation
Email: brett.mckay@theijf.org
Signal: brettmckay.23
Email: brett.mckay@theijf.org
Signal: brettmckay.23
Reposted by Brett McKay
We found that influencers now drive over 1/2 of political content and nearly 2/3 of all online engagement in Canada. They're not just lifestyle or entertainment figures anymore, with many actively shaping public debate, framing key political events, and mobilizing audiences.
November 13, 2025 at 8:38 PM
We found that influencers now drive over 1/2 of political content and nearly 2/3 of all online engagement in Canada. They're not just lifestyle or entertainment figures anymore, with many actively shaping public debate, framing key political events, and mobilizing audiences.
Reposted by Brett McKay
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft Office, saying it’s too dependent on US tech, in favor of Open Desk, a German open source alternative.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
International Criminal Court to ditch Microsoft Office for European open source alternative | Euractiv
The court will move its internal work environment to Open Desk, a German-developed open source software
www.euractiv.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft Office, saying it’s too dependent on US tech, in favor of Open Desk, a German open source alternative.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
Reposted by Brett McKay
Exclusive: Based on documents viewed by this newsletter, OpenAI spent over $12.4 billion on inference from 2024 to September 2025. As part of its Microsoft revenue share, it sent $493.8m in 2024/$865.8m Jan-Sep 2025, implying lower revenues than previously reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
Exclusive: Here's How Much OpenAI Spends On Inference and Its Revenue Share With Microsoft
As with my Anthropic exclusive from a few weeks ago, though this feels like a natural premium piece, I decided it was better to publish on my free one so that you could all enjoy it. If you liked or f...
www.wheresyoured.at
November 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Exclusive: Based on documents viewed by this newsletter, OpenAI spent over $12.4 billion on inference from 2024 to September 2025. As part of its Microsoft revenue share, it sent $493.8m in 2024/$865.8m Jan-Sep 2025, implying lower revenues than previously reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
Reposted by Brett McKay
On everything from vaccines to voting machines, Danielle Smith's government takes its marching orders from UCP members.
When it comes to separatism, though, she seems to be pouring some water in their wine. Will they notice? #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/13/o...
When it comes to separatism, though, she seems to be pouring some water in their wine. Will they notice? #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/13/o...
Danielle Smith is playing her separatist supporters for fools
Albertans who oppose the idea of separatism should be annoyed by the government's refusal to actually model its impacts. But those who support it should be downright furious.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
On everything from vaccines to voting machines, Danielle Smith's government takes its marching orders from UCP members.
When it comes to separatism, though, she seems to be pouring some water in their wine. Will they notice? #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/13/o...
When it comes to separatism, though, she seems to be pouring some water in their wine. Will they notice? #cdnpoli #abpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/13/o...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Alberta opens up silica exploration and mining on public lands
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Investigative Journalism Foundation It's a critical mineral for the oil industry, but Alberta's plan to vastly expand silica exploration and mining has environmentalists worried.…
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Investigative Journalism Foundation It's a critical mineral for the oil industry, but Alberta's plan to vastly expand silica exploration and mining has environmentalists worried.…
Alberta opens up silica exploration and mining on public lands
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Investigative Journalism Foundation It's a critical mineral for the oil industry, but Alberta's plan to vastly expand silica exploration and mining has environmentalists worried. A ministerial directive issued by Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen in August creates new categories of “enhanced” silica exploration and mining leases. Alberta’s existing sand and gravel
calgaryjournal.ca
November 12, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Alberta opens up silica exploration and mining on public lands
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Investigative Journalism Foundation It's a critical mineral for the oil industry, but Alberta's plan to vastly expand silica exploration and mining has environmentalists worried.…
By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Investigative Journalism Foundation It's a critical mineral for the oil industry, but Alberta's plan to vastly expand silica exploration and mining has environmentalists worried.…
Reposted by Brett McKay
Alberta's plan to vastly expand silica exploration and mining has environmentalists worried. We've got the details in our latest.
zurl.co/cjTQT
#Alberta #environment #mining
zurl.co/cjTQT
#Alberta #environment #mining
November 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Alberta's plan to vastly expand silica exploration and mining has environmentalists worried. We've got the details in our latest.
zurl.co/cjTQT
#Alberta #environment #mining
zurl.co/cjTQT
#Alberta #environment #mining
Reposted by Brett McKay
Today a story I've spent months reporting and writing runs on @desmog.com and @theguardian.com.
It's based on hundreds of exclusive documents revealing how Exxon funded the rightwing Atlas Network to spread climate denial across Latin America and the Global South.
www.desmog.com/2025/11/03/a...
It's based on hundreds of exclusive documents revealing how Exxon funded the rightwing Atlas Network to spread climate denial across Latin America and the Global South.
www.desmog.com/2025/11/03/a...
‘A Pretty Ugly History’: How Exxon Exported Climate Denial to the Global South
With Brazil about to host COP30, DeSmog has obtained copies of checks Exxon mailed to the right-wing Atlas Network in the 1990s to turn Latin America against climate treaties.
www.desmog.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Today a story I've spent months reporting and writing runs on @desmog.com and @theguardian.com.
It's based on hundreds of exclusive documents revealing how Exxon funded the rightwing Atlas Network to spread climate denial across Latin America and the Global South.
www.desmog.com/2025/11/03/a...
It's based on hundreds of exclusive documents revealing how Exxon funded the rightwing Atlas Network to spread climate denial across Latin America and the Global South.
www.desmog.com/2025/11/03/a...
Danielle Smith has repeatedly invoked the idea of Alberta independence during her time in office. But documents obtained by the Investigative Journalism Foundation suggest it is not an economic scenario the provincial government is seriously studying.
theijf.org/alberta-is-f...
theijf.org/alberta-is-f...
Alberta is flirting with separatism. But documents show the province isn’t planning for it
Internal records suggest province hasn’t researched economic impacts of Alberta exiting confederation
theijf.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Danielle Smith has repeatedly invoked the idea of Alberta independence during her time in office. But documents obtained by the Investigative Journalism Foundation suggest it is not an economic scenario the provincial government is seriously studying.
theijf.org/alberta-is-f...
theijf.org/alberta-is-f...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Danielle Smith has repeatedly invoked the idea of Alberta independence, but documents show it is not an economic scenario the province is seriously considering..
zurl.co/ATsA2
#abpoli #Alberta
zurl.co/ATsA2
#abpoli #Alberta
November 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Danielle Smith has repeatedly invoked the idea of Alberta independence, but documents show it is not an economic scenario the province is seriously considering..
zurl.co/ATsA2
#abpoli #Alberta
zurl.co/ATsA2
#abpoli #Alberta
AER chief executive Rob Morgan cancelled public hearings on Summit's proposed coal mine roughly two weeks after Summit asked the AER to do so.
Summit also sent the motion to Alberta's energy minister saying “It is the win/win/win for everyone.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Summit also sent the motion to Alberta's energy minister saying “It is the win/win/win for everyone.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Documents related to Summit coal decision raise more questions about Alberta Energy Regulator’s independence
Regulator’s CEO sought ‘input’ from Energy Minister’s chief of staff on a motion to cancel hearings about a proposed mine
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:18 PM
AER chief executive Rob Morgan cancelled public hearings on Summit's proposed coal mine roughly two weeks after Summit asked the AER to do so.
Summit also sent the motion to Alberta's energy minister saying “It is the win/win/win for everyone.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Summit also sent the motion to Alberta's energy minister saying “It is the win/win/win for everyone.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alber...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Tuesday's federal budget proposes to weaken the truthfulness standard companies must meet to back environmental claims and prevent third-parties greenwashing complaints to the Competition Bureau.
Carney scraps anti-greenwashing law, even as research shows Canadians want fewer climate lies online
Most Canadians want the federal government to do more about climate disinformation, especially during extreme weather, new research shows, even as the Carney government scraps Canada's laws against gr...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Tuesday's federal budget proposes to weaken the truthfulness standard companies must meet to back environmental claims and prevent third-parties greenwashing complaints to the Competition Bureau.
Reposted by Brett McKay
Women are ‘central figures’ in transnational extremist financing: Canadian intelligence report
theijf.org/women-are-ce...
theijf.org/women-are-ce...
Women are ‘central figures’ in transnational extremist financing: Canadian intelligence report
Individuals in cross-border networks likely acting as financing nodes to raise funds for terrorists abroad, according to financial intelligence unit
theijf.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Women are ‘central figures’ in transnational extremist financing: Canadian intelligence report
theijf.org/women-are-ce...
theijf.org/women-are-ce...
Reposted by Brett McKay
One BC is at it again
Today, Dallas Brodie plans to table a bill to "repeal DRIPA and require the government to defend the property rights of British Columbia to the full extent permitted by law"
She's calling it the Property Rights Protection Act
Will it make it past first reading? #bcpoli
Today, Dallas Brodie plans to table a bill to "repeal DRIPA and require the government to defend the property rights of British Columbia to the full extent permitted by law"
She's calling it the Property Rights Protection Act
Will it make it past first reading? #bcpoli
October 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
One BC is at it again
Today, Dallas Brodie plans to table a bill to "repeal DRIPA and require the government to defend the property rights of British Columbia to the full extent permitted by law"
She's calling it the Property Rights Protection Act
Will it make it past first reading? #bcpoli
Today, Dallas Brodie plans to table a bill to "repeal DRIPA and require the government to defend the property rights of British Columbia to the full extent permitted by law"
She's calling it the Property Rights Protection Act
Will it make it past first reading? #bcpoli
Reposted by Brett McKay
“In order to turn the page to become a new and free country, Alberta has to ditch the things that are Canadian that exist in Alberta right now,” said Bruce Pardy, the exec director for Rights Probe, at a right-wing political conference in Calgary. 🚫🇨🇦 #abpoli
Alberta Separatist Pushes for End of Indigenous Rights at ‘Unity’ Conference | The Tyee
‘In a free Alberta, Aboriginal rights should not exist,’ argues We Unify panellist Bruce Pardy.
thetyee.ca
October 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
“In order to turn the page to become a new and free country, Alberta has to ditch the things that are Canadian that exist in Alberta right now,” said Bruce Pardy, the exec director for Rights Probe, at a right-wing political conference in Calgary. 🚫🇨🇦 #abpoli
Reposted by Brett McKay
Canada’s financial watchdog is saying women are increasingly acting as the “soft introduction” to hate movements and as central figures in fundraising for extremist networks. We obtained a new report.
zurl.co/mTaOf
#cdnpoli
zurl.co/mTaOf
#cdnpoli
October 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Canada’s financial watchdog is saying women are increasingly acting as the “soft introduction” to hate movements and as central figures in fundraising for extremist networks. We obtained a new report.
zurl.co/mTaOf
#cdnpoli
zurl.co/mTaOf
#cdnpoli
Women are ‘central figures’ in transnational extremist financing: Canadian intelligence report
theijf.org/women-are-ce...
theijf.org/women-are-ce...
Women are ‘central figures’ in transnational extremist financing: Canadian intelligence report
Individuals in cross-border networks likely acting as financing nodes to raise funds for terrorists abroad, according to financial intelligence unit
theijf.org
October 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Women are ‘central figures’ in transnational extremist financing: Canadian intelligence report
theijf.org/women-are-ce...
theijf.org/women-are-ce...
Reposted by Brett McKay
As Edmonton voters prepare to go to the polls Oct. 20, the Investigative Journalism Foundation analyzed financial disclosures and corporate records to see if all campaign donors are following the rules. Read what we found in our story.
zurl.co/pzelL
#abpoli
zurl.co/pzelL
#abpoli
Developers used networks of companies to funnel money to Edmonton council candidates
Analysis of corporate records shows connections between several companies funding local political campaigns
zurl.co
October 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
As Edmonton voters prepare to go to the polls Oct. 20, the Investigative Journalism Foundation analyzed financial disclosures and corporate records to see if all campaign donors are following the rules. Read what we found in our story.
zurl.co/pzelL
#abpoli
zurl.co/pzelL
#abpoli
Reposted by Brett McKay
Developers used networks of companies to funnel money to Edmonton council candidates.
Analysis of corporate records shows connections between several companies funding local political campaigns.
theijf.org/developers-u...
Analysis of corporate records shows connections between several companies funding local political campaigns.
theijf.org/developers-u...
Developers used networks of companies to funnel money to Edmonton council candidates
Analysis of corporate records shows connections between several companies funding local political campaigns
theijf.org
October 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Developers used networks of companies to funnel money to Edmonton council candidates.
Analysis of corporate records shows connections between several companies funding local political campaigns.
theijf.org/developers-u...
Analysis of corporate records shows connections between several companies funding local political campaigns.
theijf.org/developers-u...
Reposted by Brett McKay
Reposted by Brett McKay
Those of you standing in long lines for municipal elections in Alberta today:
1) stay in line; your voice matters
2) the long lines are a direct consequence of the conspiracy-driven policy changes brought forward by the UCP government (and not your beleaguered election workers); be kind
1) stay in line; your voice matters
2) the long lines are a direct consequence of the conspiracy-driven policy changes brought forward by the UCP government (and not your beleaguered election workers); be kind
October 20, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Those of you standing in long lines for municipal elections in Alberta today:
1) stay in line; your voice matters
2) the long lines are a direct consequence of the conspiracy-driven policy changes brought forward by the UCP government (and not your beleaguered election workers); be kind
1) stay in line; your voice matters
2) the long lines are a direct consequence of the conspiracy-driven policy changes brought forward by the UCP government (and not your beleaguered election workers); be kind
Reposted by Brett McKay
Amazon’s Ring is partnering with Flock
• A network of AI-powered cameras used by ICE, federal agencies, and police
• Authorities can request users to share footage to assist with 'evidence collection and investigative work'
(via Techcrunch | 404 Media co)
• A network of AI-powered cameras used by ICE, federal agencies, and police
• Authorities can request users to share footage to assist with 'evidence collection and investigative work'
(via Techcrunch | 404 Media co)
October 20, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Amazon’s Ring is partnering with Flock
• A network of AI-powered cameras used by ICE, federal agencies, and police
• Authorities can request users to share footage to assist with 'evidence collection and investigative work'
(via Techcrunch | 404 Media co)
• A network of AI-powered cameras used by ICE, federal agencies, and police
• Authorities can request users to share footage to assist with 'evidence collection and investigative work'
(via Techcrunch | 404 Media co)
Reposted by Brett McKay
NEW: After years of Canada claiming it won't support Azov Brigade due to its far-right ideology and neo-Nazi links, the Canadian Defence Attache in Ukraine met with Azov at the Embassy this summer.
An Azov contact said it was a “friendly and open dialogue.”
www.readthemaple.com/canadian-emb...
An Azov contact said it was a “friendly and open dialogue.”
www.readthemaple.com/canadian-emb...
Canadian Embassy Hosted Ukraine’s Azov Brigade This Summer
An Azov member described the meeting as a “friendly and open dialogue.”
www.readthemaple.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
NEW: After years of Canada claiming it won't support Azov Brigade due to its far-right ideology and neo-Nazi links, the Canadian Defence Attache in Ukraine met with Azov at the Embassy this summer.
An Azov contact said it was a “friendly and open dialogue.”
www.readthemaple.com/canadian-emb...
An Azov contact said it was a “friendly and open dialogue.”
www.readthemaple.com/canadian-emb...
Reposted by Brett McKay
@djclimenhaga.bsky.social: What’s with this apparent contradiction in the report from a panel set up to advise the government how Alberta’s post-secondary institutions should be funded, but then dives into how to respond to MAGA obsessions dear to the hearts of Premier Smith and her UCP base?
A UCP Government Panel Backs a MAGA Agenda for Post-Secondary Schools | The Tyee
The Mintz review was supposed to review funding. But it strayed into attacks on DEI.
thetyee.ca
October 16, 2025 at 8:59 PM
@djclimenhaga.bsky.social: What’s with this apparent contradiction in the report from a panel set up to advise the government how Alberta’s post-secondary institutions should be funded, but then dives into how to respond to MAGA obsessions dear to the hearts of Premier Smith and her UCP base?
Reposted by Brett McKay
On Oct. 26, Musqueam Elder Larry Grant and Scott Steedman talk about reconciliation and where we go from here. writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
The talk follows the launch of their book that The Tyee excerpted in September. 🧡
The talk follows the launch of their book that The Tyee excerpted in September. 🧡
In ‘Reconciling,’ a Search to Belong | The Tyee
Elder Larry Grant looks back on his 1940s childhood, when racial hierarchies ruled at school.
thetyee.ca
October 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
On Oct. 26, Musqueam Elder Larry Grant and Scott Steedman talk about reconciliation and where we go from here. writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
The talk follows the launch of their book that The Tyee excerpted in September. 🧡
The talk follows the launch of their book that The Tyee excerpted in September. 🧡
Reposted by Brett McKay
Rallies like this bring together multigenerational groups and the playfulness can help create enthusasim for big tent politics against the monoculture of fascism.
October 19, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Rallies like this bring together multigenerational groups and the playfulness can help create enthusasim for big tent politics against the monoculture of fascism.